Infrared astronomical characteristics of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: precipitable water vapour statistics

We present measurements of the atmospheric water vapour content above the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) obtained using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS measurements have been evaluated by comparison with 940-nm radiometer observations. A statistical analysis of the GPS measure...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2010-07, Vol.405 (4), p.2683-2696
Main Authors: García-Lorenzo, B., Eff-Darwich, A., Castro-Almazán, J., Pinilla-Alonso, N., Muñoz-Tuñón, C., Rodríguez-Espinosa, J. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomical instruments
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Geographic information systems
Global Positioning System
Infrared
Infrared radiation
infrared: general
instrumentation: miscellaneous
Observatories
Satellite navigation systems
site testing
Stars & galaxies
Vapour
Winter
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Summary:We present measurements of the atmospheric water vapour content above the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) obtained using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS measurements have been evaluated by comparison with 940-nm radiometer observations. A statistical analysis of the GPS measurements points to the ORM as an observing site with suitable conditions for infrared observations, with a median column of precipitable water vapour (PWV) of 3.8 mm. PWV presents a clear seasonal behaviour, with winter and spring being the best seasons for infrared observations. The percentage of nights showing PWV values less than 3 mm is over 60 per cent in February, March and April. We have also estimated the temporal variability of water vapour content at the ORM. We present a summary of PWV statistical results at different astronomical sites, noting that these values are not directly comparable as a result of the differences in the techniques used to recorded the data.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.16649.x